http://www.connectingforchange.org

When most westerners think about gifts, the exchange of material goods, is the image that is most familiar. Little time and attention, however, is given to finding and embracing the gift -- the real reason we are born in this world. As a result most of us cannot make sense of the various events in our life. Drawing on Dagara wisdom, this talk brings to light how everyone has a personal gift that is vital to the well being of the individual and the community.

Sobonfu Somé is a respected author, lecturer, activist and one of the foremost voices in African spirituality. She travels the world on a healing mission, sharing the rich spiritual life and culture of her native land Burkina Faso, West Africa. She is the founder of Wisdom Spring, Inc. an organization dedicated to the preservation, the sharing of indigenous wisdom and organizes fundraisers for wells, schools and health project in Africa. She is the author of The Spirit of Intimacy, Welcoming Spirit Home, Falling Out of Grace and the CDS set Women's Wisdom from the Heart of Africa. Sobonfu's message about the importance of spirit, community, and ritual in our lives rings with an intuitive power and truth that author Alice Walker has said "can help us put together so many things that our modern Western world has broken."

A Currulao song about Black Afrodescendant identity, by the Kmtyu of the Pacific coast of colombia.
"Soy Negro Afrodescendiente" - I am Black Afrodescendant


Provided to YouTube by ONErpmNegro Afrodescendiente · Palmeras del PacíficoEsto Se Llama Folclor℗ Palmeras del PacíficoReleased on: 2016-10-23

⁣We extend our deepest gratitude to Mama Abena Shirley Wiggins for sharing such a powerful and heartfelt RepatriateToGhana (R2GH) testimonial. Your story embodies commitment, community, and the living practice of coming home with purpose. Your words will inspire many more to take the next step with confidence.
Medaase pii, Mama Abena Shirley Wiggins, for trusting us and for lighting the way. You can sign up for your consultation at https://www.r2gh.com/quiz

Why Didn't We Fight Back? - Introduction to Gullah & Black Seminole Wars by Baba Wekesa Madzimoyo of AYA Educational Institute https://www.ayaed.com

I am proud to share the Official Super Trailer for the Abibitumi Abibifahodie Film Festival, where I serve as Festival Director.

This year’s festival is presented in partnership with:
• African World Documentary Film Festival
• UNIMAC (Ghana)
• D.O.O.R. (Decade Of Our Repatriation)The 2025 edition is a hybrid experience:

🎥 In-person screenings in Accra, Ghana at Ozone Cinema

🌍 Virtual screenings available worldwide — experience the ENTIRE festival onlineWe are showcasing powerful African films, documentaries, shorts, and diaspora cinema that centre our stories, our vision, and our liberation.

🎟️ TO GET TICKETS:Scan the QR code on the screen, or visit the link in the description.Join us in-person or online — be part of this global celebration of Black filmmaking.Thank you for supporting independent storytelling, African filmmakers, and the future of our cinema.See you at the festival.

❤️🎬

A poem by Dakari Kamau Hru

⁣Register here: https://www.abibitumi.com/register
Find out more about D.O.O.R. here: https://www.decadeofourrepatriation.com and https://www.door.events

⁣Abibitumi Conference Tickets at https://www.abibitumi.com
Abibifahodie Festival is FREE! Free shuttle info and schedule at https://www.abibitumi.com

Machel Montano x Tempa x Travis World - Tempa Wine
Buy/Stream - https://monkmusic.link/tempawine

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/1daMZwo

Song Credits:
Song Title - Tempa Wine
Artist - Machel Montano x Tempa
Producer - Travis World
Composers/Writers - Machel Montano, Travis Hosein, Rebecca Alexander, Shane Howell, Emmanuel Rudder, Kernal Roberts, Dwain Antrobus, Patrice Roberts
Machel Montano recorded by - 1st Klase at Baby Monster Studio Trinidad
Tempa recorded by - I.Y.K.Y.K Ent at Studio Impact
Mixed & Mastered by - Travis World
Contains a sample of “Tempa Wine” by Patrice Roberts x Machel Montano
Record label - Monk Music / Travis World Music

Follow the Team:
https://www.instagram.com/machelmontano/
https://www.instagram.com/tempa_music._/
https://www.instagram.com/travisworldmusic/
https://www.instagram.com/emmanuelallanrudder/
https://www.instagram.com/stud....ioimpact_productionz
https://www.instagram.com/iykyk_ent_/

Follow Machel Montano:
X | https://www.x.com/MachelMontano
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/machelmontano
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MachelMontanoMonk
Spotify | http://bit.ly/MM-spotify
Soundcloud | https://soundcloud.com/machelmontano

Follow Monk Music:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monkmusicgroup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monkmusicgroup
X: https://x.com/monkmusicgroup

Franck Zanu of @FranckZanu joins the State of the Nation for one of the most explosive and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had all year.

Zanu — whose viral insights on Africa, culture, development and geopolitics have sparked global debate — confronts the ideas many leaders avoid:
• Why African countries continue to struggle economically
• What “culture” really means for development
• Why corruption isn’t the true root cause
• How colonialism is misunderstood
• Why South Africa’s political structure is destined for conflict
• The controversial “tribal nation” model he believes could save the continent
• And why Western countries secretly want Africa to succeed

This is not a conversation about blaming or excuses.
It’s a conversation about responsibility, culture, identity, and hard truths.

If you care about Africa’s future, South Africa’s political direction, or global geopolitics — you will not forget this episode.

✨ Tell us in the comments: Is Franck Zanu right or wrong?

SPONSOR

Thank you to Pace Car Rental for supporting this episode.
Use code SONA for a discount on your next rental.

FOLLOW US

TikTok, Instagram, X, and Facebook: @sonacoza

Produced by Stream IN Studios
https://www.streamin.co.za

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Franck Zanu joins State of the Nation
02:25 – Sound issue fixed & restart
03:44 – Should South Africa be part of the G20?
05:25 – What is really holding Africa back?
06:48 – Culture vs development: Zanu’s core argument
08:27 – “Is Africa being held back?” Zanu’s controversial answer
09:07 – Does Africa actually have the ‘potential’ we assume?
11:06 – Why Europe wants Africa to succeed
12:59 – Corruption is NOT why Africa is poor
14:23 – How culture shapes innovation and development
15:19 – The experiment of South Africa
16:48 – Zanu describes his visit to Durban’s decayed rail system
17:30 – Apartheid, history, and the true meaning of development
18:56 – Why Africa has not taken responsibility
19:12 – Does Africa WANT to stay this way?
21:02 – Why activists and politicians cannot admit they’re wrong
22:47 – Walter Rodney’s book & the damage of bad ideas
24:52 – What Dubai teaches Africa
26:56 – The Orania experiment and lessons from it
29:05 – What is Africa’s REAL problem? A one-word diagnosis
30:08 – Why the revolution must start with thinking, not doing
31:05 – How narratives trap African progress
32:47 – Colonization myths vs historical reality
34:28 – How a single book derailed a generation
35:22 – What white nations must stop doing
36:33 – Why post-colonial models failed
37:18 – Elections will NOT fix Africa
39:06 – Zanu explains cultural mismatches in nation-building
40:33 – Why African “countries” are artificial constructs
42:52 – Should we dismantle African states?
45:02 – Zanu’s “Tribal Nation” blueprint
46:47 – Why America succeeded with diversity but Africa didn’t
49:50 – Why immigrant communities recreate their home cultures abroad
51:14 – The West’s immigration mistakes
53:12 – Cultural traits Africans must understand
55:55 – Monochronic vs Polychronic cultures explained
57:39 – The tribe vs the nation: which one wins?
58:54 – Will Africa break apart? Zanu’s prediction
01:01:15 – Can Africa be saved? The role of think tanks
01:02:43 – South Africa’s unique struggle explained
01:05:32 – What apartheid changed — and didn’t
01:09:04 – Colonization vs African agency
01:10:39 – Why Africans refused real independence
01:12:10 – Closing thoughts & part two incoming